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Peter Case on World Cafe | January 11, 2011

Self-described autodidact and three-time Grammy nominee Peter Case has seen it all. As a young musician, he dropped out of high school to travel and make music. He ended up in California, where he built a reputation through a series of bands, including power-pop legends The Nerves. Case eventually found lasting success when he went solo in the mid-1980s.

Case gravitated toward a more acoustic, folksy sound during the course of his career, though he still strives to incorporate strains of new wave, blues, rock, soul and R&B into his music. "I'm trying to forge my own style out of those inherited materials," he tells World Cafe host David Dye.

Case's most recent release was last year's Wig! (Yep Roc). Recorded after open-heart surgery in 2009, the collection of songs is full of electric blues and folk rock — a statement of joy and thanks for good friends and a good life. (link)